Manchester United Kits: Grading Man U's New Home Unis

Manchester United has had its own unique style on the futbol field for years, but now, the Red Devils will bring in a new home kits to wear for the 2012-13 season. Now, in addition to the trademark red, the threads will be more in tune with the city the club represents. 

Normally, when grading a uniform, I like to see the simple things done right. Too often in sports, we see designs that are going merely for shock value by adding too many colors or the flashiest possible number pattern that gets people talking, which, in turn, leads people to buy it just because it is so bad. 

Shirt

Manchester United and Nike have teamed up and kept things, unsurprisingly, simple. The Red Devils will now have a tonal gingham pattern all over the shirt. According to the Nike Blog, this design is meant to pay homage the cotton mills in the city. 

The shirt also features a slogan on the back that reads, "Forged in Industry, Striving for Glory." It is a rallying cry for the rich industrial tradition of the city and fits the Manchester United squad perfectly. 

The final piece that gives the shirt that extra little kick is the Manchester United logo just above the heart. An absolutely perfect symbol for a flawless shirt. 

Grade: A

Shorts

Of course, no uniform would be great without the right pair of shorts/pants to help set off the top. The new Manchester United kits have a phenomenal look to them, thanks in large part to the shirt, but the shorts really give it that extra kick it needs to become a transcendent uniform. 

The white color really makes the red top stand out. The Manchester United logo on the right leg doesn't really take up too much space, so it's hard to criticize it.

While there is some pizzazz to the shorts, the white dominates the majority of the pattern so everything jumps out at you. 

Grade: A-

Socks

 Here is where the uniform starts to lose me. It's not that the socks are bad, per se. They just don't do much to add anything substantial. They are basically an all-black sock that has some red at the top. 

The design of the sock can actually take away from the shirts and shorts, which are both phenomenal looks for the Red Devils. 

I would have liked to see Nike design the socks with red being the predominant color and then the little hint of black at the top. That look would flow much smoother with the jersey that we have been presented with. 

Again, it's not a terrible design, but it takes the focus away from the shirt/short combo. 

Grade: B-

Overall

Given the strength of the shirt and shorts, it is hard to knock down the grade too much for the poor choice in sock design. 

This is a great kit for Manchester United, one that this club can be proud to wear in all of its home matches this season. 

Grade: A-

Follow @adamwells1985